Vol. 628 No. 5
1 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will carry out a review of the county tourism committees, similar to the review of the regional tourism associations, in view of the critical role local authorities play in tourism infrastructure development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41023/06]
As I advised the House on several occasions this year, most recently on 26 October last, individual actions and measures relating to tourism promotion or development at regional or county level are day to day functions of the State tourism agencies. There has been a major reform of Irish tourism structures in recent years with the setting up of Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland. Reform of the function, role and operational aspects of sub-national structures, as recommended by the tourism policy review group in its report "New Horizons for Irish Tourism — An Agenda for Action", was the final phase of that process.
In response to the recommendation in the "New Horizons" report, Fáilte Ireland commissioned PricewaterhouseCoopers to review regional tourism structures. That report recommended the establishment of regional tourism development boards to ensure a greater focus on the individual needs of each region at a national level, and the subsuming of former regional tourism authority management and staff into Fáilte Ireland. The bodies known as county tourism committees were a substructure of the regional tourism authorities, RTAs. To facilitate the new regional structures and the establishment of the five new regional tourism development boards, the former regional tourism authorities passed the necessary resolutions earlier this year and the boards of directors resigned.
Following the dissolution of the RTAs, I gave my consent to the establishment by Fáilte Ireland of five regional tourism development boards — in the south-east, the south-west, the west, the midlands-east and the northwest regions — and the delegation of certain functions to each of the boards. The functions so delegated are: directing the formulation and regular review of a comprehensive tourism development strategy for its region, to cover all key aspects of tourism development including the product, enterprise support, training, marketing, infrastructure and environmental management needs of tourism in that region; drafting multi-annual work plans for its region to support the implementation of the region's development strategy for tourism; submitting multi-annual plans to Fáilte Ireland for funding and other resources and securing funding, as appropriate, from within the region; overseeing the implementation of the region's approved work plans and approving corrective action as appropriate; reporting on outcomes achieved from implementing the region's tourism development strategy and issues arising from its implementation; performing the role of advocate for tourism development in its region in accordance with national and regional policies and procedures; and working closely with other bodies in the region to support the development of tourism in the region.
I appreciate that a significant amount of energy and activity exists at county level with many tourism enterprises and the local authorities often identifying, in the first instance, with the county structure. However, I understand the experience with regard to the former county tourism committees was mixed and inconsistent. I also understand that they performed with varying degrees of effectiveness. In this regard, I expect that the regional strategies to be drawn up by the regional tourism development boards will seek to harness and build on the county dynamic within the overall regional framework.
Can the Minister clarify that he is no longer in favour of having county tourism committees? That seems to be the thrust of his reply, especially the conclusion of that reply. There is much uncertainty as regards the future of county tourism committees. Some of these operated very effectively and our county had an effective committee. Last year it put in place a map of the county, which the Minister will no doubt launch in the new year. It was a representative group, and I am sure the Minister will agree that many of the decisions that affect tourism and are put in place locally are made by local authorities. These include decisions such as signposting, roads, the provision of sanitation measures and, most importantly, the control of pollution and litter. If the Minister is dismissing the role of local authorities and the local tourism committees, it will weaken our overall product and structures.
In view of the importance of county tourism authorities, will the Minister appoint PricewaterhouseCoopers, or another consultancy, to examine the future and structures of local tourism committees in the same way in which it examined the RTAs? This could determine how the local committees could integrate with the regional tourism development authorities. Decisions will be made by the regional tourism development authorities that can be put in place at national levels, but important decisions will also have to be put in place at local level. I can see a role for the local tourism committees putting in place decisions made by the regional authority.
The articles of association of the former regional tourism authorities govern the formation of the county tourism committees. Now that the RTAs no longer exist, the former county tourism committees have also lapsed. PricewaterhouseCoopers examined the county committees and determined that the State structures to support tourism had significantly disaggregated over time and that a large number of entities were involved. There was too much duplication. The effectiveness of the county tourism committees is quite debatable. Some of them met infrequently, many of them were barely staffed and it is clear they were under-resourced and had limited access to finance. Local authorities are adequately represented on the new regional development boards. Too much duplication in tourism is a mistake. It leads to inefficiency and ineffectiveness.
The Minister is quite clearly announcing the winding up of the county tourism committees. The Minister once served on a local authority. Local authorities have an important role to play in tourism not only in developmental work but in setting charges and rates. Unless there is a strong voice for tourism in a county like Kerry, tourism interests will not be represented. A large percentage of Kerry's revenue comes from tourism enterprises, and these will no longer be represented in decision-making in our county. I do not know who is advising the Minister on this matter, but I appeal to him to review his approach towards county tourism committees. I ask him to further review their effectiveness. I agree that they must be given a structure and a raison d’être. If I were to get an opportunity in this area I would make them part of my priority in the entire tourism network.
Western regions are currently losing out to eastern regions in terms of tourism. If we want to do something about this, the dynamic could come from the county pride and structure. These structures already exist and they influence every part of local authority areas. The most important structure in the country is the local authorities. The Minister is dismissing it as regards tourism development and that is unfortunate.
I am not announcing the death of the country tourism committees, I am merely writing the obituary. There clearly was too much duplication, overlap and overcrowding in tourism structures in the State. We need to target the resources we have in a measured and focused way. We cannot do that if there is too much disaggregation in the process. I do not believe it is a great idea.
It depends on the role one gives them.
Local authorities still have a role in the sense they are involved in the regional tourism development authorities and they have a substantial role to play through their elected members and county managers in that respect. It is clear we have reformed the structures of the tourism industry through Tourism Ireland, Fáilte Ireland and the new Regional Tourism Development Authorities. I am confident this is the way forward.
2 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on the 2007 Estimate for his Department; the way this money is to be spent by his Department; the projects he will prioritise for funding in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40918/06]
The Estimates for Public Services (Abridged Version) and Summary Public Capital Programme for 2007, which were published on 16 November last, make a provision of €686.836 million for my Department with a further €11.765 million provision for the National Gallery of Ireland, representing an increase of 17.6% over the 2006 allocations.
However, in the initial analysis of the figures, it is important to view them in the context of the exceptional growth in financial allocations for these areas in recent years. The arts, sport and tourism sectors have received unprecedented tangible support from Government in terms of significantly increased financial allocations. Since 2003, current funding has been increased by a whopping 43.4%, or €121 million. However, capital funding has increased by a massive 147.5% or €178 million.
Turning to 2007, the capital allocation for my Department and the National Gallery is almost €299 million, making provision for vital infrastructural developments across all sectors of my Department's remit and demonstrating strong and continued Government support for the development of local, regional and national facilities for the enjoyment of arts and sports activities.
The total current allocation for my Department for 2007 is almost €400 million, an increase of over 8% on 2006. In addition to providing for the day-to-day running costs of my Department and the various agencies and bodies under its aegis, it will also enable the roll-out and further development of the many important initiatives and support programmes available through both the Department and the agencies.
In regard to the arts, culture and film sectors, the 2007 Estimates provide for a combined allocation of over €216.56 million for my Department and the National Gallery of Ireland, an increase of 8.65% over 2006. Of particular note is the 11% increase in Arts Council funding, bringing the council's total budget for 2007 to €80 million, confirmation of the high regard in which arts and culture are held by the Government. Funding for the Arts Council has increased by 53% over the last three years. I have also made a provision of €4.5 million to Culture Ireland, a 50% increase in the funding available this year, recognising that quality cultural exports highlight Ireland internationally as a culturally strong visitor and investment destination. Funding for the Irish Film Board will increase by 15%, enabling the board to continue with its essential role of developing and supporting the Irish film sector.
There are increased expenditure provisions for our national cultural institutions while support for the National Gallery of Ireland will increase by 25% to over €11.5 million. I am particularly pleased to make available an allocation of €250,000 towards the operating costs of the new National Children's Museum.
This Government has spent over €900 million on the promotion of sport and sporting infrastructure since 1997, an unprecedented level of investment. This is clear and unambiguous evidence of the importance the Government attaches to having in place modern well-equipped and well-managed sporting facilities supported by a wide range of programmes, all of which have a real benefit in our communities. For 2007, I am pleased to have been able to again secure a significantly increased allocation for the sports sector, with a total provision of over €316 million, representing an increase of 30% over 2006.
Additional information not given on the floor of the House.
Within this sports allocation, the budget for the Irish Sports Council will increase by 20% from just under €41 million this year to over €49 million in 2007. This will allow for the funding for the Irish Institute of Sport which was launched in July 2006 to deliver optimal support for Olympic and Paralympic athletes and sports, as well as providing support for the new horse sport governing body, Horse Sport Ireland. The increased allocation will also provide for the continued extension of the network of local sports partnerships and increases in funding for programmes specifically targeted at women.
The 2007 Estimates allocations for my Department also provide for unprecedented levels of capital investment in our sporting infrastructure, with €76 million being made available towards the costs of the redevelopment of the Lansdowne Road stadium and a further €30 million for the development of the first phase of the Sports Campus at Abbotstown. The capital allocation to meet the cost of grants for local and regional sports facilities, including swimming pools, will be almost €88 million. This will be used to meet payments in respect of commitments already made as well as those to be made in 2007 under the sports capital and local authority swimming pool programmes. As a point of clarification, I should point out that while the total subhead provision for the sports capital and local authority swimming pool programmes is €67 million, it is the intention that the full capital carryover of €20.842 million will be applied to these areas.
In regard to the tourism sector, I have been able to secure an allocation of €154 million, a 9% increase on the 2006 budget, resulting in the largest ever Exchequer budget for tourism. This is clear evidence of this Government's strong commitment to the Irish tourism industry and enables my Department to provide effective support for the sector as it responds to the challenges outlined in the New Horizons tourism strategy.
Within the overall tourism budget, the increase of 12.5% in the tourism marketing fund to €45 million builds on the increased funding provided in earlier years and will enable both Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland to ratchet up their marketing activities in 2007, with a particular emphasis on an enhanced regional focus and new marketing strategies for North America and new and developing markets.
The new Regional Tourism Development Boards will also benefit from additional funding being provided to Fáilte Ireland, which is being allocated almost €80 million in 2007. These boards, which were established over the past few months, will bring a new dynamic to regional tourism, in particular in the planning, product development and training areas. There are also plans to launch a new product development strategy and the focus of the strategy is both to further enhance tourism in developed areas and to take special initiatives in areas of the country which are less developed in a tourism sense. This new strategy is expected to form part of the tourism programme in the new national development plan. An allocation of €8.75 million is being provided for tourism product development in 2007.
The numbers outlined above speak for themselves. The continued investment provided for in the 2007 Estimates are a clear demonstration of the continued support which this Government has shown, and continues to show, for the arts, sport and tourism sectors.
I welcome the Minister's detailed response. The 17.5% rise in the Estimate for the Department augers well for the various headings. The reason I tabled this question was that Swim Ireland attended a recent meeting of the Joint Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. As we all know, this organisation has come through difficult times and the Minister has been in office for much of that time. Unfortunately, corporate Ireland does not recognise the work of this organisation as evidenced by the serious lack of sponsorship. However, the organisation has survived due to Government funding which was recognised at the committee meeting.
The organisation has reached a point where it wants to move on. It has put in place well documented guidelines which must be adhered to by those involved in the sport, especially coaches. However, further departmental funding is required. Does the Minister envisage providing funding for Swim Ireland which will help it to move on? It is the one sport which has something extra in that in addition to providing entertainment, recreation and competition, it is a life saver. In the 1,400 swimming clubs throughout the country, there are a number of life savers in each club. Will the Minister give us an undertaking that any application made by Swim Ireland will be dealt with in a positive manner? Having listened to the wonderful presentation made at the committee, the group needs help. I hope the Government will provide help and that as result we will see corporate Ireland provide further assistance through a great deal more sponsorship than at present.
The Government supports swimming which is clear from the construction of the National Aquatic Centre and the Olympic size pool at the University of Limerick. Under the swimming pools programme, 23 swimming pools around the country have been completed since 2000. Some 15 more are under construction.
In regard to Swim Ireland and its allocation, Deputy Wall will be aware that its funding comes from the Sports Council as this is a revenue matter. The Sports Council's funding has been increased significantly from €40.9 million last year to €49.025 million this year. That represents an increase of approximately 20% over last year which is particularly significant. It is open to Swim Ireland, as it is to every other national governing body, to make an application to the Sports Council for funding. Clearly, Swim Ireland believes it requires a greater degree of funding than before and it is open to it to make its application in the context which Deputy Wall outlined. Hopefully, the Sports Council will look at that matter favourably.
I recognise the procedure whereby applications are made to the Sports Council. However, I ask the Minister to look positively on Swim Ireland, an organisation which has been checked out in the various reports etc., carried out. If the Minister looks positively on Swim Ireland, it will result in corporate Ireland looking more favourably on it than at present. Many youngsters are involved in swimming and there are swimming pools everywhere, which is welcome. However, there is a need for the Minister to state that Swim Ireland is a well organised organisation which cares for its members. It is not all about getting money from the Sports Council. The positivity provided to the general public, businesses and the corporate structure is the real making of Swim Ireland. I was more than impressed by the Swim Ireland officials the day they appeared before the joint committee. I hope the Minister is in a position to say he believes Swim Ireland is ready to move forward.
Swim Ireland has made a genuine effort to try and resolve its difficulties. However, I point out to Deputy Wall that the only recommendation in the 1998 Murphy report of direct relevance to my Department concerns the issue of funding. This is the reason I dealt with that issue in my reply. The report advocated that additional funding be allocated through the Irish Sports Council for the development of sport and that this funding should be given to Swim Ireland for necessary reorganisation and training. Since 1999, Swim Ireland has received over €3.6 million in funding from the Irish Sports Council. The grants received last year amounted to €804,500.
A number of other recommendations in the report related to the Departments of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Health and Children, Justice, Equality and Law Reform and Education and Science. These recommendations were brought to the attention of the relevant Departments for their information.
In reply to the point made by Deputy Wall, the Irish Sports Council is satisfied that Swim Ireland has been restructured and refocused in accordance with the recommendations of the Murphy report. Since the publication of the report in 1998, further changes have taken place with regard to best practice and in legislation on child welfare through the Department of Health and Children. There have also been reviews and updates of the Irish Sports Council's code of ethics on good practice for children's sport.
The Irish Sports Council has confirmed to me that Swim Ireland is in compliance with the provisions of the council's code of ethics and good practice for children's sport in Ireland. I hope this statement is of assistance not just to Deputy Wall, but through him to Swim Ireland.
3 Mr. Healy asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his intentions for the National Aquatic Centre in view of the recent happenings in the Supreme Court and in view of allegations that the building is deteriorating rapidly. [40917/06]
I wish to express my satisfaction that the National Aquatic Centre will be restored to Campus and Stadium Ireland Development Limited, CSID, following an order by consent made by the Supreme Court on 14 November. Following the persistent failure of Dublin Waterworld Limited to comply with obligations under its lease, I directed CSID to seek forfeiture of the lease in the High Court. The High Court found there had been "wilful breaches" of the lease by Dublin Waterworld Limited. A judgment in favour of CSID, delivered by the High Court earlier this year, was appealed by Dublin Waterworld Limited to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court ordered that possession be handed over on 30 November, that pending such hand-over the defendant will abide by the terms of the undertaking to the Supreme Court dated 12 May — these were the terms of the stay on the order for possession, that the sum on joint deposit as security for costs in this case is released with interest immediately to McCann FitzGerald, and that the High Court order as to costs be vacated and there be no further order as to costs in the Supreme Court.
This means that CSID regains possession of the centre from midnight tonight. The immediate handover of the National Aquatic Centre is a significantly more advantageous position than would have been the case had the appeal proceeded.
Following the initiation of the High Court proceedings, CSID put in place a contingency plan to take over the operation of the National Aquatic Centre in anticipation of regaining possession. The facility will now be managed by CSID (Operations) Limited, a subsidiary of CSID. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the role of the staff at the centre. They have been through a difficult and uncertain time and I assure them that CSID will fully comply with any and all legal obligations towards the staff. I understand that CSID met with the staff on Tuesday last and briefed them on the plans for the future. It is the intention that there should be a seamless transition to the new operating company and that the business of the centre continue.
I wish to address the Deputy's concerns regarding the condition of the building. CSID is confident the facility is in good condition, but it will carry out a full health check on the total facility, starting tomorrow, with a view to dispelling any concerns once and for all.
The facilities at the centre will be maintained and managed to the highest quality so the residents of Blanchardstown and the wider community can enjoy one of our flagship facilities.
I join the Minister in support of the staff at the centre. Is the Minister aware of allegations that the building has deteriorated considerably? What works need to be carried out to bring the centre up to a good standard, how much will they cost and who will be responsible for the costs of any works necessary?
As is well known, there was storm damage in January 2005 because of severe weather conditions in west Dublin. The roof was damaged as were various fittings around the complex. Repair works were completed on 20 May 2005 and the centre was reopened to the public on that date.
Kavanagh, Mansfield & Partners has certified that the programme of works was carried out in accordance with the requirements of the design and it secured certification from the designers, contractors and subcontractors with regard to the various elements of the work. The capital expenditure concerned has been covered between the insurers and the main contractor and no Exchequer expenditure was involved. The repair work cost just over €1 million.
With regard to reports of leaks, during 2005 reports of leaks were carried through various media organs and as a result an inspection team conducted a technical examination of the entire centre. Experts in the field were called in and the team found there was no evidence of any structural defects or of any water leaking into the plant room, despite what was alleged in the media. While some leakage from pipe joints and valves was identified, in the view of the inspectors, these arose for reasons of operational and maintenance issues and were not structural.
In addition, a test was carried out and confirmed there were no leaks from the swimming pools. URS structural engineers confirmed that the concrete works were designed and constructed to meet the British Standard 8007 and confirmed that any cracks that existed did not leak, were not of a structural nature and were entirely normal for a building of this type. The inspection carried out confirmed the allegations were unfounded and may have been connected with the ongoing court case. The report to the effect that the leaks did not exist got little coverage in the media.
There was also a snag list. In common with all new buildings, there is a process for dealing with snags that arise in the building. The attitude of Dublin Waterworld Limited in not facilitating access to the centre while the dispute on the lease was in progress resulted in the final snag list not being satisfactorily resolved. That process was also interrupted by the damage and the repair work to the roof. Approximately €320,000 has been retained and it will not be paid until the snag list is completed.
The resolution of all matters is frequently a long-drawn out process in projects of this magnitude. However, the work will now resume. It is hoped the remaining issues will be resolved without delay. I am delighted this saga will come to a close at midnight tonight and that the State, through a subsidiary, will operate the centre for the foreseeable future. That is as I wish it to be.
This has been a long and sorry saga and it has lessons for everyone involved. However, what is certain is that this project came in on time and within budget. It has had its difficulties, but the National Aquatic Centre which hosted the Special Olympics and the European short course championships has been praised as one of the finest facilities of its kind throughout the world. I hope that in future we will not have the difficulties we have had in the past and that the people can be proud of this flagship project.
4 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on whether funding for the Arts Council in Estimates 2007 falls far short of the demand for grant aid for bursaries, awards, projects and schemes in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41024/06]
Since becoming Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism in 2002, I have consistently and effectively made the case, in the context of annual Estimates discussions, for increased funding for the arts, and the results are clearly in evidence.
Since 2002 funding for the Arts Council has increased by over 67% from €47.67 million in 2002 to €80 million in 2007. This clearly demonstrates the Government's commitment to the arts and has allowed the Arts Council to support a record number of artists and arts organisations around the country. These are significant amounts of money in any context and have transformed and increased access to the arts in recent years, and provide an excellent platform for even further developments in the years ahead.
However, the Arts Council is an independent body under the Arts Act 2003 and is wholly independent in its funding decisions. I have, therefore, no involvement in the allocation of grants to specific projects under the Arts Council's schemes.
I remind the Minister that the increase of 11% he provided to the Arts Council this year was more or less committed already. There is a commitment to the Abbey Theatre, a €2 million commitment to touring and a commitment to the traditional arts. In reality, the Arts Council has received a very small increase.
Last year the Arts Council received approximately 2,065 applications from individuals, festivals, groups and so on but it could only fund 500 of these. Of the individual artists who applied for funding, only one in three received funding, and of the festivals, one in two received funding. Many people will be disappointed next year. I am sure the Minister will agree that a 30% increase in funding might result in a 100% increase in output. Many artists are frustrated because they do not have the funding to develop their work fully. We are failing to capitalise on much latent undeveloped talent due to the lack of funding.
Given the Arts Council will have a demand for approximately €120 million next year but will receive €70 million or less, the result will be frustration for many people. The Minister should consider ways of providing additional funding. I realise the Supplementary Estimate will be brought forward next week. If the Minister could provide funding from any source for the Arts Council for next year, it would assist it to fulfil its meaningful role. Before the Minister announced the Estimate, the chairman and chief executive of the council expressed concern about the level of funding it is receiving for next year. Funding per capita here is well below that in other countries and Northern Ireland.
On my watch, the budget for the Arts Council has increased by 67% which, by any standard, is a substantial increase over a four year period. This has been recognised and acknowledged by those involved in the arts throughout the country. As with all budgets and Estimates, everybody will not get everything they want.
International comparisons are far less simple than originally appears to be the case. Approaches to what is classified as "arts" can differ quite dramatically. It must also be noted that jurisdictions with very high spending across the board also tend to have very high tax rates, which we do not have. The arts must compete for funding with all other sectors, which it has done successfully.
Since I became Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, there has been a tradition of seeking to invest savings in the arts where possible. For example, as part of the first phase of its three year strategy the Arts Council sought an allocation of €79.3 million from me in 2006. With the savings I have allocated to the Arts Council, which have been greatly welcomed, the amount I allocated to the Arts Council during 2006 was greater than the amount it sought. The council's funding for 2006 now stands at €79.81 million, which exceeds the amount sought and demonstrates the Government's commitment to the arts sector in no uncertain terms.
This year, the Arts Council sought €80 million and was given that amount.
It was more than that. It sought €100 million.
If, in the course of 2007, further funding becomes available to assist the arts community, the Arts Council and arts organisations, the Deputy can be assured I will do all I can to assist. That has been my record and that of Government.
Before the Minister gets totally carried away, I point out that he was the first Minister in recent times to reduce funding for the Arts Council, when he reduced it by €5 million in 2002. The arts community is still reeling from that reduction. Cuts were made that led to the loss of very good personnel, the closure of some venues and the stopping of touring.
Will the Minister consider the touring budget in particular and provide further funding? A beginning was made this year with €2 million committed from this fund over a three year period for various forms of arts. For example, the Druid Theatre Company is touring with John B. Keane's "Year of the Hiker" this year. The play was staged in Tralee recently, where it was full to capacity every night. It is now in Portlaoise and will visit Letterkenny, where centres were established with taxpayers' money over the years. However, since funding was withdrawn in 2002, some centres are not visited by touring groups. I ask the Minister to increase this aspect of funding, particularly in view of cultural inclusion. A report to be published shortly will outline that one of the main barriers to cultural inclusion in this country is that professional touring groups cannot visit all parts of the country.
Arts Council spending has increased by 67% under my watch.
It was cut by €5 million in the Minister's first year in office.
There was a cut in 2002-03 because of the budgetary circumstances.
It was a readjustment.
There were cutbacks at that time, or at least adjustments in the Estimates across several Departments.
The Government conned the people.
If those adjustments had not been made, the economy would not have weathered the storm which many other economies failed to weather during that period. Those adjustments have proven to be the correct course of action. Time has proven the Government was right. While there were slight cutbacks in terms of the budget for the Arts Council at that time, these have been more than made up for. Again, we have seen a substantial increase in Arts Council funding this year.
5 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will expand on his recent comments that a national audit of sporting facilities will be undertaken to provide accurate information on the range, suitability and type of facilities available here ahead of the 2012 London Olympics; when he expects this audit to commence; the person who will oversee the audit; the remit of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40815/06]
The nationwide audit of sports facilities has commenced and is being carried out in stages to help speed up the availability of information. Phase one of the audit will establish a record of national and regional sports facilities and is being carried out within my Department.
The work currently being undertaken is a data gathering exercise in conjunction with the main sporting bodies and local authorities to identify the facilities for inclusion in this phase. My Department has identified a list of in excess of 100 sports facilities of national or regional significance. Many of these have been funded under the sports capital programme since 1999 and a considerable bank of information already exists, although some of this information is not up to date and, therefore, a complete set of data has to be obtained. In addition, details of facilities at third level educational institutions and swimming pools have also been included on this inventory. Further engagement with the main sporting bodies, local authorities and facility owners and managers is being undertaken so a comprehensive database on the range and nature of sporting facilities at national and regional level can be completed.
By ascertaining and mapping what is already in place at a national and regional level, an important part of developing a strategic approach to future facility provision will be put in place, as well as establishing the level of need that exists in the sports sector and helping to determine future priorities. As I have previously explained, the enormity of completing the full audit of sports facilities should not be underestimated and, given the experience of other countries, is likely to take a number of years.
With London 2012 on the horizon, there is the possibility that athletes and teams from other countries may consider using Ireland as a training base in the years leading up to the Olympics. Ireland possesses the advantages of being in the same climatic and time zones as London, being within an hour by air travel, and Ireland will avoid most of the media hype that one often finds in the host country.
In order to ensure Ireland benefits from the proximity of the London 2012 Olympic Games, I have established a London 2012 task force made up of experts from sporting, business, tourism and cultural interests. This group will work to ensure Ireland is an attractive training base for Olympic athletes in the run-up to 2012 and Ireland also benefits from the tourism, business and cultural opportunities arising from the hosting of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in London in 2012.
Additional information not given on the floor of the House.
If Ireland is to be attractive to potential participating athletes, access to high quality sporting and ancillary facilities must be available. In this regard, my Department is currently undertaking, as a separate exercise, a sports infrastructural audit of facilities that might be suitable to develop to meet the training needs of overseas teams preparing for the 2012 Olympics. Department officials have already held discussions with national governing bodies of sport and have been in touch with third level institutions to establish the type, range and suitability of the sports facilities available for this purpose.
The Olympic Council of Ireland has identified a number of individual sports facilities that may require some upgrade work to bring them up to the standard required by Olympic athletes. Universities are also well placed to provide packages of sporting, accommodation and ancillary facilities. A limited number of local authority facilities may be worth considering for the training camps.
Over the coming months, this audit process will be completed in line with the standards set out by the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games. We will then have a clearer picture of the facilities likely to be attractive to participating athletes in the build-up to London 2012 and my Department will then examine whether investment may be required to bring these facilities up to the required standard. Any expenditure on facilities will be aimed not only at attracting teams but also at ensuring a lasting legacy for Irish sports.
When the 2012 Olympic Games take place in London, it will be the nearest thing to a home Olympic Games in our lifetime. We should try to obtain as many sporting and tourism benefits as possible from the London Olympics. It is impossible not to be impressed by the list of members of the 2012 task force. The list covers most sports, as well as commercial life. According to the Minister's answer, we have not yet completed the gathering of information even though it is almost 2007. When one reads about the work that is being done in England, one learns that the authorities there are finding it difficult to quantify the sporting facilities which are needed. The cost of providing such facilities has been underestimated in some instances. We need to get the benefit of the 2012 Olympics in a way that will make a difference. I am sure the Minister will agree that anything we do in respect of the London Olympics will benefit us into the future. I refer, for example, to the provision of the extra facilities which are needed to attract other countries to come here to prepare for the Olympic Games.
When will a real decision be taken to develop certain facilities to the same standard as the National Aquatic Centre and the facilities at the University of Limerick? Time will catch up with us if we do not make a decision soon. If we decide to provide improved facilities, we will have to work within a tight timescale when one considers that we have to take account of various mechanisms like the planning system. The task force should be given a date by which the facilities have to be provided. If we do not do that, we will have problems trying to gain the enormous benefits which are available to us. I do not think there is a lack of expertise etc., among the members of the task force. The people on it have a wonderful grasp of what is needed. The Minister should take the initiative by setting the date for the fast-tracking of the provision of the facilities which are required.
At the request of the 2012 London task force, the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism is undertaking a separate and limited audit of sporting infrastructure in advance of the 2012 Olympic Games. A list of facilities which are likely to attract Olympic and Paralympic training camps, prior to the London games in 2012, will be drawn up over the next three months. The audit will focus on university campuses, individual sporting facilities and local authority facilities. The Department held discussions with the national sporting governing authorities at a briefing session in sports headquarters on 28 September last. The Department wrote to third level institutions on 10 November last, asking them to make submissions on how they could facilitate Olympic and Paralympic teams, to give details of the upgrade work that is needed to bring facilities up to the required standard, and to mention any development plans which are under consideration. The audit process will continue for the rest of 2006 and will be completed early in 2007. We will then have a more comprehensive idea of the quality of the facilities which are available, whether they need to be upgraded and the level of expenditure required to bring the facilities up to the standard required by potential visiting athletes. It is anticipated that proposals will be presented to the Government in early 2007. I will seek funding for the upgrading of facilities, if such work is deemed worthwhile. Upgrade work that is done will focus on leaving a lasting legacy for Irish sport.
Yes.
A number of potential sites for visiting teams have been identified in the initial discussions. It is important to recognise that we have a number of quite decent facilities, such as the rowing centre at Inniscarra, the equestrian centre at Punchestown, the aquatic centre in Blanchardstown, the tennis centre in Glasnevin, the boxing stadium in Dublin 8, the training facilities in the University of Limerick and the hockey stadium in University College Dublin. Progress is also being made in devising a national sports facility strategy. We have engaged Holohan Leisure Consultancy, following a competitive tender competition, to assist us with the strategy. It is anticipated the strategy will be completed within six months. The strategy will examine all the available information on sports facilities and identify the gaps to which Deputy Wall referred. Information on facilities is held by the Department of Education and Science, the Irish Sports Council, individual sporting bodies and local authorities. If we ascertain and map out what is already in place at national, regional and local levels, we will have started to develop a strategic approach to the future provision of facilities, established the level of need that exists in the sports sector and helped to determine future priorities. We are continuing with phase 1 of the Abbotstown project. Some €119 million has been included in my Department's capital envelope to complete that phase of the project by the end of 2010. In that context, I intend to bring further proposals to the Government soon, arising from the deliberations of the national sports development authority, which will be established on 1 January next to succeed Campus and Stadium Ireland Development Limited with regard to the second priority of the plans.
